BELTWAY BONEHEADS

A 21-year-old man was killed early today, and two other young people were seriously injured, when their black Lexus hurtled off the road onto the tree-lined banks of the southbound George Washington Parkway. Park Police say the car “went airborne” and off the road shortly after 1:30 a.m. Authorities reopened the road just before 6 a.m., as the morning rush started to heat up. — By Debbi Wilgoren and Jamie Stockwell, September 28, 2006; Washington Post

Virginia lawmakers begin a special session today to seek new money for the state's jampacked roads and pitifully inadequate mass transit. Sadly, the effort seems dead on arrival. -- Washington Post Editorial, September 28, 2006

A panel of lawmakers on Tuesday defeated Northern Virginia's key proposal to improve the region's roads and transit system, dimming hopes that the General Assembly will agree on significant transportation relief during a three-day special session that begins Wednesday. -- By Amy Gardner, September 27, 2006; Washington Post

I know that many people love the fall. They cite the crisp air and the colorful foliage. To me, it seems an awkward time when it's still dark when we wake up and getting dark as we head home from work. That transition from light to dark creates real problems on the roads. -- By Steve Eldridge, September 26, 2006; The Examiner

When the Pentagon announced a long-term plan to reorganize the nation's military bases, Fort Meade became one of the region's big winners. Now, more than a year later, residents near the Anne Arundel County base fear that they might turn out to be the big losers, as developers rush to accommodate an estimated 5,400 additional workers coming to the base. -- By Raymond McCaffrey, September 25, 2006; Washington Post